HBO and Bill Maher Are Very Sorry Bill Maher Used the N-Word on HBO

Bill Maher and HBO apologized Saturday for Bill Maher’s use of the n-word on HBO on Friday night, the New York Times reports. HBO was first out of the gate Saturday morning, publicly criticizing the host of Real Time with Bill Maher while announcing that his exchange with Senator Bill Sasse was going straight down the memory hole:

Bill Maher’s comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless. We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show.

A few hours later, Maher weighed in with his own apology:

Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I’m up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn’t have said on my live show. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry.